The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1887-12-15


purpose principally of comforting with
Comptroller Mccall and Commissioner
Foster, in order to be prepared to present
their work and reports for 1883 in proper
shape and good form. The sheriffs have
convened in a distinct body and Tor
different purposes. Now having small /
attendance here, the speaker seemed to
think an adjournment to San Antonio
would close out the assessors, and collect
ors association permanently.
Other speakers also opposed the resOlu-
ton, and it was rejected almost unanl-
mOusly.
The president stated he agreed with the
majority. He entertained frateraal feel
ing toward he sheriffs aud appreciated
highly their courtesy, but, being here
accessible to the books and records OF the
comptroller's and Commissioner Fosters
offices, it appeared unquestionable that
the best course is to continue the session
here.
A motion to select a committee to
report officers for permanent organization
was substituted by a motion that the con-
vention proceed directly to the election
of a president, vice-president and secre-
tary.
Assessor Robinson and Collector A. X.
Morris were nominated for president, but
the latter wanted to Withdraw, holding
Robinson to have been already elected
permanent president.
A ballot was taken resulting in 10 votes
for Morris, and II for Robinson.
Ham M. Metz, assessor of Travis county,
was elected secretary by reclamation, and
against his protest.
Collector Ramsey, of Bexar, was also
elected by reclamation to the position of
vice-president.
| LA resolution calling for a committee of
| two assessors and two collectors to be
presided over by Comptroller Mccall, and
to report on topics and rules, was adopted.
The following were appointed: Collect
ors Morris of Travis, and Mobley OF
johnson, and Assessors Sheppard of
Williamson, and Kahn of Ell Paso.
On motion, Commissioner Foster was
invited to address the convention on the
subject of the statistical information to
be collected for his department by the
assessors.
Mr.. Foster stated, in substance, that
the legislature was responsible for the
law, and as to the question propounded
to him, why it was passed, they would
have to consult the legislature. He had
been charged with its execution, and, in
the performance of his duty, he had pre-
pared and sent out to the assessors the
blanks containing questions. The answers
would disclose what was wanted. de had,
in the endeavor to execute the law, hrst
to consider the means at hand. The
appropriation for the purpose was
limited, and so his questions were graded
to come as far as he could measure them
within the appropriation. The law pro-
vides the information shall be obtained
by the tax assessors, and, in this respect,
differs from the systems of all other
states and the system of the Washington
bureau. It is obtained by other states
and by the Washington bureau by cor
respondence with private individuals;
80 the information is mainly
based on the Judgment of private per-
sons, and their estimates of the crops
and amount of yield of any one product.
He regarded the plan adopted by the
Texas legislature much the BEST when
perfected and working smoothly, as the
information published would be official
and exact, and entirely reliable. For the
ensuing report of assessors on statistics,
his questions we're so framed to obtain
information for the year ending January
l, 1883.
In reply TO questions, he said great
deal was necessarily left to the discretion
of the assessors. He anticipated that
farmers and others would object to
answering certain questions; for example:
"What amount of property is under mort
gage?" "What crops under chattel mort
gage" GLOW much corn he has bought
from Kansas" etc. He had information
that some assessors already find these OBJ
jections on the part of farmers. he then
indicated that the reason for this was the
apprehension that the information would
be used against the person giving it, but
| that it was unfOunded, as the returns
would not be preserved, and would not be
published in the form the answers were
given.
Many questions were propounded and
answered promptly, with great clearness.
The question of compensation of as
SCISSORS for the work was presented, but, as
Foster indicated, it was left with the
county commissioners. He declined to
state any idea of what it should be, as he
had no say about it officially. The system
he regarded as crude as yet, but expected
the people to gradually come into it, and
finally when the assessors were duly as
sisted by the people, both the state and
counties would be greatly benefited. Now,
steps are being taken to bring immigrants
to Texas, but there is no official informa-
ton to publish and circulate.
The speech had the effect of removing
doubts and clearing away objections in
the minds of some. At dark the conven-
ton adjourned until 10 a. m. to-day.